Movies

The Best TV Shows And Movies Leaving HBO Max In April 2023

Tom Hanks as Joe Fox and Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail Warner Bros. Pictures
By Lyvie Scott/

Well folks, it's that time yet again. With March coming to an end, that means that streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime and HBO Max are shuffling their catalog around for April. HBO Max is consistently bringing great new things to the platform each month — and fan favorite series like "Succession," "A Black Lady Sketch Show," and "Titans," will make their return too — but I've always been more concerned with the films and shows that depart. The streamer's monthly cull with be an especially extensive one this moth; quite a few must-sees are leaving the platform in April. Landmark romantic comedies like "Bringing Up Baby," seminal classics like "Citizen Kane" and dystopian dramas like "The Book of Eli" will all be headed away this month. As ever, we do still have some time before some of these go bye-bye, so make sure to check out these titles before they're phased out.

You've Got Mail

Tom Hanks as Joe Fox and Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail Warner Bros. Pictures

The "enemies to lovers" trope is one that's become increasingly bastardized of late. Romance fans love to throw the term around, but it rarely applies to the couples in question. "Pride and Prejudice," for the record, is not a story about enemies who become lovers — fight me on it — though said story is referenced in a perfect execution of the trope, Nora Ephron's "You've Got Mail."

On one hand, "You've Got Mail" is a remix on the David and Goliath story. Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) belongs to the Fox dynasty, whose chain of bookstores have been shutting down small businesses all over the country. When a new Fox Books opens in New York's Upper West Side, it sends Joe on a professional collision course with Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan). Ironically, the pair already know each other well: they've been corresponding anonymously — and falling in love — via e-mail for months.

The late '90s classic takes inspiration from a lot of odd-couple stories: there are clear parallels between Ryan's spunky bookstore owner and Jane Austen's protagonist, Elizabeth Bennett. There might even be traces of Mr. Darcy in Hanks' slightly off-kilter corporate suit. But Ephron's film takes equal inspiration from a slightly more recent romance, Ernst Lubitsch's "The Shop Around the Corner." "You've Got Mail" stands on the shoulders of so many truly great romances, but the film is still a top-tier romantic comedy on its own.

The Last Duel

Jodie Comer as Marguerite de Carrouges in The Last Duel 20th Century Studios

There's no denying that — at least in this day and age — Ridley Scott is the king of the historical epic. And however you may feel about the man, it sucks to watch his best-executed projects slip through the cracks. Scott's latest epic, "The Last Duel," suffered a cruel fate at the box office. The film grossed a wincing $30 million worldwide; compared to its $100 million price tag, that made it one of the biggest flops in 2021.

"The Last Duel" is a unicorn no matter how you slice it. It's a grim historical epic that pulls absolutely no punches and forces its audience to think hard about inherently depressing things. That said, its brilliant script — penned by Ben Affleck and his bestie Matt Damon, along with Nicole Holofcener — and stellar cast are supremely tuned in to the material. That in turn, puts an exhilarating spin on a "Rashomon"-esque tale of female autonomy and male ego.

While "The Last Duel" didn't do well at all in theaters, it got a second chance (of sorts) via streaming. The film has been a hidden gem on HBO Max since it concluded its theatrical run, but that stands to change in April. If you've been putting off watching the film, now's the perfect chance to check it out (if not for the well-executed plot, then for Jodie Comer's excellent wig).

Frida

Salma Hayek Pinault as Frida Kahlo in Frida Miramax Films

Salma Hayek Pinault is, unquestionably, a star — but it took Hollywood a long time to come around to that fact. Hayek notably struggled for years after making the jump for Mexican telenovelas to U.S. films. It took a massive labor of love to convince the industry that she was more than just a pretty face, and it all began with her Oscar-nominated turn in the movie "Frida."

The Frida Kahlo biopic represents a rough time in Hayek's career, especially concerning her years-long battle with the film's producer, Harvey Weinstein, and the harassment she had to endure to get the film off the ground. But the end result is still a triumph in spite of Weinstein's meddling: while director Julie Taymor brought her heightened visual style to the project, Hayek's ego-less portrayal of the famed Mexican painter remains a grounding force. Even if biopics aren't really your thing, "Frida" remains a must-see.

Se7en

Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt in Se7en Warner Bros. Pictures

I've got some very strong feelings for the 1995 film "Se7en," but if you've yet to tune into this masterpiece, I won't hold it against you. David Fincher's sordid, sinful take on the noir is not for the faint of heart. The film follows two cops, Morgan Freeman's cynical William Somerset, and Brad Pitt's optimistic (but hot-headed) David Mills, as they attempt to hunt down a serial killer in a city overrun with grime and corruption. The killer in question has been murdering his victims in accordance with the seven deadly sins, staging the crime scenes in exhibitions akin to a Saw trap. It's brutal stuff pretty much designed to get under your skin — and, if you can believe it, it's really just the tip of the iceberg.

"Se7en" would become the template for a few other disturbing detective films, like Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Cure" and Matt Reeves' "The Batman." All come highly recommended, but if you enjoy the masochistic mind games of the latter, then definitely check out "Se7en" before it leaves HBO Max in April.

Creed

Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in Creed Warner Bros. Pictures

With "Creed III" smashing box office records left and right, it only makes sense to return to the films that started it all. No, not the "Rocky" films — which, sadly, aren't streaming on HBO Max — but Ryan Coogler's triumphant "Creed." It's hard to compete with the director's confident "Rocky" spin-off: though "Creed II" and "Creed III" are both a lot of fun in their own right, neither sequel can match the cinematic highs of the original.

"Creed" brings us closer to the fights than any of the previous "Rocky" films. We probably have a few technological advancements to thank for that, but it's also a testament to Coogler's skill as a filmmaker. He's a master of immersion, and the long takes employed throughout the film — both in the ring and outside of it — established a unique visual language for the "Creed" films. It's this language that directors Steven Caple Jr. and Michael B. Jordan have each expanded on in their own sequels. Still, it's very hard to top what Coogler accomplished. For anyone wanting to relive the action after catching "Creed III" in theaters, "Creed" and "Creed II" are both streaming on HBO Max for just a little while longer.

Everything leaving HBO Max in April 2023

Wesley Snipes as Blade in Blade New Line Cinema

April 2:

  • Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, 2013

April 4:

  • We're The Millers, 2013 (HBO)

April 5:

  • The Inside Story, 1948
  • Reminiscence, 2021 (HBO)

April 11:

  • Adult Swim Yule Log (aka The Fireplace)

April 12:

  • About Face: Supermodels Then and Now, 2012 (HBO)

April 13:

  • The Last Duel, 2021
  • Game Theory With Bomani Jones, Season 1

April 18:

  • The LEGO Batman Movie, 2017

April 24:

  • Tom and Jerry Cowboy Up!, 2022

April 27:

  • Malignant, 2021 (HBO)

April 30:

  • 47 Ronin, 2013 (HBO)
  • 3 Godfathers, 1948
  • Accepted, 2006 (HBO)
  • The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1938
  • A Private War, 2018 (HBO)
  • An American in Paris, 1951
  • The American President, 1995
  • Any Given Sunday, 1999
  • Australia, 2008 (HBO)
  • Before I Fall, 2017 (HBO)
  • Ben-Hur, 1959
  • Black Legion, 1937
  • Blade, 1998
  • Blood Diamond, 2006
  • Blow Out, 1981 (HBO)
  • The Bodyguard, 1992
  • Boogie Nights, 1997
  • The Book of Eli, 2010
  • The Bourne Identity, 2002 (HBO)
  • The Bourne Supremacy, 2004 (HBO)
  • Bringing up Baby, 1938
  • Brothers By Blood, 2020 (HBO)
  • Cabaret, 1972
  • Caddyshack, 1980
  • Captain Phillips, 2013 (HBO)
  • Carefree, 1938
  • Car on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958
  • The Champ, 1979
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2005
  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968 (HBO)
  • A Christmas Story, 1983
  • Citizen Kane, 1941
  • College, 2008 (HBO)
  • Colors, 1988 (HBO)
  • Confessions of a Nazi Spy, 1939
  • Crazy, Stupid, Love., 2011
  • Creed, 2015
  • Creed II, 2018
  • A Damsel in Distress, 1937
  • Deep Blue Sea, 1999
  • Demolition Man, 1993
  • Designing Woman, 1957
  • Devil's Due, 2014 (HBO)
  • Disturbing Behavior, 1998 (HBO)
  • Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, 2002
  • Dog Day Afternoon, 1975
  • Dumb & Dumber, 1994
  • Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, 2003
  • Enter The Dragon, 1973
  • Escape Plan 2: Hades, 2018 (HBO)
  • The Expendables 2, 2012
  • The Expendables 3, 2014
  • The Expendables, 2010
  • Eyes Wide Shut, 1999
  • Fashions of 1934, 1934
  • Final Destination, 2002
  • Frailty, 2001 (HBO)
  • The French Lieutenant's Woman, 1981 (HBO)
  • Friday, 1995
  • Frida, 2002 (HBO)
  • The Fugitive, 1993
  • Generation Por Que?, 2021 (HBO)
  • Geronimo: An American Legend, 1993
  • Graffiti Bridge, 1990 (HBO)
  • The Great Gatsby, 2013
  • Hairspray (Musical Remake), 2007
  • The Hangover Part II, 2011
  • The Hangover Part III, 2013
  • Happy Feet, 2006
  • Happy Feet Two, 2011
  • He's Just Not That Into You, 2009
  • High Society, 1956
  • Hotel Rwanda, 2004 (HBO)
  • House Party, 1990
  • House Party 2, 1991
  • House Party 3, 1994
  • House Party 4: Down To The Last Minute, 2001
  • How the West Was Won, 1962
  • I Am Legend, 2007
  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, 1988 (HBO)
  • Insomnia, 2002
  • Interview with the Vampire, 1994
  • Jezebel, 1938
  • Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius, 2001 (HBO)
  • King Kong, 1933
  • La Boda De Rosa (Aka Rosa's Wedding), 2020 (HBO)
  • Life Of Crime, 2013 (HBO)
  • Lethal Weapon, 1987
  • Lethal Weapon 2, 1989
  • Lethal Weapon 3, 1992
  • Lethal Weapon 4, 1998
  • Little Shop of Horrors, 1986
  • Little Women, 1949
  • Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, 1983
  • Magnum Force, 1973
  • The Man Who Came to Dinner, 1942
  • Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, 2003 (HBO)
  • Meet Me in St. Louis, 1944
  • Menace II Society, 1993
  • Misery, 1990
  • Miss Congeniality, 2000
  • Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, 2005
  • Murder by Numbers, 2002
  • Murder In The First, 1995 (HBO)
  • The Music Man, 1962
  • Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935
  • My Life In Ruins, 2009 (HBO)
  • Navy Seals, 1990 (HBO)
  • The New Guy, 2002 (HBO)
  • Next Friday, 2000
  • Nightmare Alley, 2021
  • The Notebook, 2004
  • Nothing But Trouble, 1991 (HBO)
  • Ocean's Eight, 2018
  • Once Upon A Time In Brooklyn, 2013 (HBO)
  • One For The Money, 2012 (HBO)
  • The Philadelphia Story, 1940
  • Para Rosa (Aka For Rosa), 2020 (HBO)
  • Point Break, 1991
  • Poltergeist, 1982
  • Purple Rain, 1984
  • The Queen, 2006 (HBO)
  • Race, 2016 (HBO)
  • Ready Player One, 2018
  • Red, 2010 (HBO)
  • The Replacements, 2000
  • Risky Business, 1983
  • Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, 1991
  • Rugrats Go Wild, 2003 (HBO)
  • Rugrats In Paris: The Movie, 2000 (HBO)
  • The Rugrats Movie, 1998 (HBO)
  • Safe, 2012 (HBO)
  • San Francisco, 1936
  • Se7en, 1995
  • Shaft, 1971
  • Shall We Dance, 1937
  • The Shawshank Redemption, 1994
  • Shutter, 2010 (HBO)
  • Silent Hill: Revelation 3d, 2012 (HBO)
  • Sleeping With The Enemy, 1991 (HBO)
  • The Smurfs 2, 2013
  • The Smurfs (Movie), 2011
  • Snakes on a Plane, 2006
  • Something Borrowed, 2011 (HBO)
  • Space Jam, 1996
  • St. Elmo's Fire, 1985
  • Stargate, 1994 (HBO)
  • A Star is Born, 1954
  • A Star is Born, 1976
  • The Stepford Wives, 2004 (HBO)
  • Stuck On You, 2003 (HBO)
  • Superbad, 2007
  • Taxi Driver, 1976
  • Tenet, 2020
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991 (HBO)
  • This Is the End, 2013
  • Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, 2005
  • A Time to Kill, 1996
  • To Have and to Have Not, 1944
  • Top Hat, 1935
  • Training Day, 2001
  • The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, 1948
  • Twilight Zone: The Movie, 1983 (HBO)
  • Twister, 1996
  • Unbroken, 2014 (HBO)
  • U.S. Marshals, 1998
  • The Unsinkable Molly Brown, 1964
  • The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall, 2017 (HBO)
  • Wag the Dog, 1997
  • The Wedding Singer, 1998
  • Westworld (Movie), 1973
  • What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, 1962
  • When Harry Met Sally, 1989
  • Where Eagles Dare, 1968
  • Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1966
  • The Wild Thornberrys Movie, 2002 (HBO)
  • Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971
  • The Wings of Eagles, 1957
  • The Witches of Eastwick, 1987
  • The Witches, 1990
  • True Crime, 1999 (HBO)
  • Wyatt Earp, 1994
  • You Got Served, 2004
  • You, Me And Dupree, 2006 (HBO)
  • Young Adult, 2021 (HBO)
  • You've Got Mail, 1998

Recommended